In 1977, I was kickin' around Cincinnati at the ripe old age of 20. I was living around the corner from the Over The Rhine District, one of the toughest, poorest and roughest areas of Cincinnati (now a swanky bunch of night clubs). I spent hot summers (and very cold winters) there playing in various bands.

At the time, I was performing in a Top-40 group in Northern Kentucky (you would have loved hearing me sing "Play That Funky Music"... agh!). One night, about 2 weeks into the gig, in walked Dan Toler, the second guitarist in Mr. Betts' group, The Great Southern Band. Dan was from Connersville, Indiana and had been performing and recording with Richard "Dickey" Betts for several years. The band had lost its bassist in Chicago and the search for a replacement was on. Since Dan hailed from the Cincinnati (Southern Indiana) area, they felt they could use his contacts to locate a new bassist ...Immediately!

Dan knew of me through his very talented brother, David (Frankie) Toler (who later played in The Allman Brothers Band), and wondered if I would like to audition for the group. At first I didn't connect the name Dickey Betts with the ABB, but I soon made the connection and jumped at the chance to meet this legendary performer.

The Rest is History

I joined the Great Southern Band, and after forming a close musical rapport with Dickey, I was asked to be involved with the reformation of the Allman Brothers Band in 1979.

Gregg Allman, Butch Trucks and Jai Johnny Johnson (Jaimoe) joined the Great Southern Band in concert in Central Park, and the stage was set for another Allman Brothers Band album. The first album, Enlightened Rogues, contained the minor hit, "Crazy Love". Also included was the Grammy nominated rock instrumental "Pegasus."

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